AI Design of Ride-hailing Platforms: A Feminist Analysis of Workers’ Precarity

Abstract

The rise of the ride-hailing sector with low barriers to entry and promise of inclusivity are opening new avenues for workers to participate in the platform economy. However, the “digital labour” is managed and controlled by efficiency-oriented AI-enabled algorithms, which often neglects the needs of disadvantaged groups, especially women, amplifies labour precarity, and increases mental stress due to the incentive-based gamification model. This chapter critically analyses the algorithm design of the ride-hailing platforms by conducting in-depth qualitative interviews with the platform representatives, platform drivers, and an AI specialist, and documents analysis of official reports on this sector. In applying Bardzell’s feminist design framework committed to issues such as agency, fulfilment, identity, equity, empowerment, and social justice, this chapter provides guidance on shaping ride-hailing platforms for a more inclusive design.